Greenville Junction, Maine — It’s been another busy offseason at Big Moose Mountain.
After some significant changes over the past few years, work has once again resumed on bringing back terrain that hasn’t been skied in many years.
The upper mountain at Moose hasn’t been lift-serviced for two decades following a chairlift accident in 2004. However, Big Moose Mountain now services this terrain by offering snowcat rides up to the top.
This summer, Friends of the Mountain (the non-profit that runs the ski area) has hired a crew to hand-cut the trails on the upper mountain. Hand cutting allows workers to reach further than mowers, leading to it becoming more skiable earlier on.
The project aims to clear 100 acres. Friends of the Mountain secured the finances to cut the first 50 acres, and additional donations came that will lead to another 25 acres being cut. The targeted trails include Penobscot and The Moose. There was also a cutting route that established a connection between East Branch, Upper Fitz, Carry Brook, and Lower Penobscot. Donations to the trail clearing efforts can be made here.
Situated near Moosehead Lake, Big Moose Mountain (formerly known as Big Squaw Mountain) has had a tumultuous history. For decades, its varied terrain and slopeside hotel have made it one of the top skiing destinations in Maine. However, new ownership in the 1990s led to it reaching a state of neglect, resulting in its closure in 2010.
In 2013, the non-profit Friends of the Mountain reopened the ski area. While they efficiently put the mountain into solid shape, rumors continued for years regarding potential development. After the property officially went on sale last year, the non-profit has been fundraising to try to acquire the ski resort. They’ve reportedly raised over $2 million so far, with the needed threshold to reach to buy the ski area being $6 million.
Image Credit: Big Moose Mountain
